Check out our latest & greatest teen titles out this month, then join us today at 4pm EST for Early Word YA Galley Chat (hashtag: #ewgcya) and tell us what you’ve been reading and loving.

AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS by Bonnie PipkinAges 12 to 18
In the tradition of Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell comes a “sensitive and big-hearted”* debut novel of furious friendship, crazy love, and unexpected hope after a teen’s decision to end an unwanted pregnancy. “Genesis’s conflicted relationships with her mother, grandparents, and friends are as engrossing as her breakup with Peter, and her story packs a big emotional punch.” — *Publishers Weekly

I AM A SECRET SERVICE AGENT by Dan EmmettAges 8 to 18
Adapted from WITHIN ARM’S LENGTH for a young adult audience, a rare inside look at the Secret Service from an agent who protected Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. “Readers will admire Emmett’s discipline, commitment, physical strength, and endurance, as well as his understatement and dry humor.” — Publishers Weekly

To enter the giveaway, simply email Library@MacmillanUSA.com from your professional/library-issued e-mail address (subject: Thanksgiveaway) by Sunday, Dec. 4, and make sure to include your library’s mailing address. You’re welcome to specify a certain title you’re interested in, but this is a random drawing. Read on for the fine print. Good luck!

UPDATE 12/6: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winners:

Today Talia highlighted her favorite teen titles during Booklist‘s YA Announcements: Fall 2016 webinar. For those who weren’t able to listen in, here are the boss lady’s top picks, including many diverse books (#wndb):

Now on to the books!

THE HAZEL WOOD by Melissa AlbertAvailable January 30, 2018Ages 12 to 19

Two starred reviews! Welcome to The Hazel Wood, Melissa Albert’s fierce, captivating, contemporary fantasy about a seventeen-year-old girl who must venture into the world behind a pitch-dark, cult-classic, collection of fairy tales to save her mother… “A ferocious young woman is drawn into her grandmother’s sinister fairy-tale realm in this pitch-black fantasy debut.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Ava and Gen are two best friends heading off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two document every moment in a series of texts and emails to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?

FREEKS by Amanda Hocking
Ages 12 to 18“This fun paranormal romance, wrapped up in a circus-tent setting, is recommended where the genre and the author’s books are popular. Hand to fans of Twilight and MTV’s Teen Wolf.” — School Library Journal

THE RADIUS OF US by Marie Marquardt
Ages 13 to 19“While the teens’ relationship is tested when details from Phoenix’s past coincide with Gretchen’s case, a host of diverse characters lend a hand and offer varying perspectives. [An] …eye-opening story. ” — Kirkus Reviews

WINTERSONG by S. Jae-Jones
Ages 12 to 18
Set at the turn of the 19th century, this richly imagined debut coming-of-age story spins a spellbinding tale perfect for fans of Labyrinth and THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST as a young woman searches for her sister who was kidnapped by the Goblin King. “There are plenty of nods to Labyrinth, but atmospherically, this first novel is most similar to another debut: Robin McKinley’s BEAUTY. …this is an exquisitely and lyrically crafted tale of longing, sibling loyalty, and the importance of women in a time when women were so often overlooked. Eerie, unsettling, and, above all, full of music.” — Booklist, starred review

A CROWN OF WISHES by Roshani Chokshi
Ages 13 to 18
In this second beautiful, lush fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Chokshi, Gauri, the princess of Bharata, must team up with her enemy kingdom’s prince Vikram to win the Tournament of Wishes—a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. “Careful plotting, multiple viewpoints, high-stakes action, and a slow-burn relationship make this heady fantasy completely engrossing. A first pick for YA collections.” — School Library Journal, starred review

GIVE ME A K-I-L-L by R.L. Stine (Fear Street series #6)Ages 14 to 18
Heather Wyatt just transferred from her old school, where she was a cheerleading star, and is eager to join the squad at Shadyside High. There’s only one other girl who stands in her way—rich, spoiled Devra Dalby, who is also trying out for the one open slot. The competition is anything but friendly—and it ends in murder.

DEAR READER by Mary O’ConnellAges 12 to 18Gilmore Girls with magical realism! In this original, poignant modern-day take on Wuthering Heights, a high school senior searches for her teacher and meets a boy who may just be Heathcliff come to life. “The use of Wuthering Heights intensifies the impact of Flannery and Miss Sweeney’s corresponding journeys; even readers who haven’t read the classic will find significance in the parallels.” — Publishers Weekly

CARRY ON by Rainbow Rowell (ages 13-19) is now available in trade paperback.

SONGS ABOUT A GIRL by Chris Russell Ages 12 to 18
Charlie Bloom is happiest behind her camera, taking pictures of her former classmate Olly Samson’s new band, Fire&Lights. Soon, they’re the hottest boy band in the country and Charlie becomes caught between Olly and Fire&Lights’ gorgeous but damaged frontman, Gabriel West. As the boys’ rivalry threatens to tear the band apart, Charlie stumbles on a secret about the band—and herself—hidden within the lyrics of their new #1 single. “Confronting the fickleness of fame and the damaging effects of rumors and harassment, Russell’s debut is highly relevant in an age of social media furors and the constant churn of news.” — Publishers Weekly

Hey hey YA Librarians! We can’t wait to chat with y’all later today during Early Word YA Galley Chat (starts at 5pm EST, hashtag: #ewgcya) about this month’s new teen and YA-OK adult titles.

AMERICAN GIRLS by Allison UmmingerTHREE STARRED REVIEWS & aBooklist Read ‘n Rave selection! “Setting her tale against the glittery, gritty backdrop of modern-day Los Angeles, the author deftly weaves together multiple story strands to create a razor-sharp commentary on our culture, observed with keen wit from the perspective of one honest and complex American girl. An insightful, original take on the coming-of-age story, this novel plumbs the depths of American culture to arrive at a poignant emotional truth.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

YOU KNOW ME WELL by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
A powerfully moving story about navigating the joys and heartaches of first love, told in alternating viewpoints through a friendship forged over the course of one fateful pride week in San Francisco. “Popular authors LaCour and Levithan tell their heartfelt story seamlessly in chapters that alternate between Mark’s and Kate’s respective points of view and invite readers’ emotional engagement with these two empathetic teens.” — Booklist

738 DAYS by Stacey KadeA BEA 2016 “Shout ‘n Share” pick! A young, washed up Hollywood star and a former kidnapping victim form an alliance to revamp his image, but their simple arrangement becomes more complicated when the past resurfaces. “Skillfully weaving Chase’s troubled history into the story, Kade drops just the right amount of humor into the mix of regret, shame, determination, and love.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

Staff Picks

MAY DAY by Gretchen Marquette
“In this lovely, dark, haunted, and haunting debut poetry collection, Marquette’s ragged, sometimes very long lines can seem to be careening out of control, except that their subjects—childhood memories of a brother and bracing visions of him on military deployment overseas; hungering, fragile love; the very nature of human experience—are so carefully handled, with such resolve and resignation. ‘It’s hard to forget what you’re built to remember,’ she writes; readers will remember this book.” — Craig Morgan Teicher, director of digital operations

YOU KNOW ME WELL by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
“Two authors I love, each alternating chapters in one book? Sign me up. LaCour (I’ll never get over how good her debut, HOLD STILL, is) and Levithan (editor and author extraordinaire) write about two friends dealing with relationship drama that unfolds over Pride Week in San Francisco. If this book is anything like the authors’ previous endeavors, I know it’ll be a great balance of honesty, authenticity, and humor.”
— Natasha Gilmore, associate editor, children’s books

Mystery/Thriller

REDEMPTION ROAD by John Hart
A good cop faces criminal charges for a fatal shooting in this timely crime thriller from Hart, the only author to win the Edgar Award for best novel twice in a row. It’s been five years since Hart’s last book, IRON HOUSE, and his many fans won’t be disappointed by this tale centered on a powerful, courageous but emotionally wounded woman. readmoreremove